As we wrap up the fall semester, hard to imagine that the fall sports season has now officially come to a close.

It was a tough way to lose in Football last Saturday, but 1) App State is really good and 2) it doesn't take away the great turnaround season we had. It's great seeing all the honors roll in for the guys, especially Matt Barr being named 1 of the 3 finalists for the Walter Payton Award. Considering he did not get named to the list until three weeks before the voting took place says something about his year and the team's positive press this year.

A lot has been said about the 17 seniors, they will certainly be missed. There's a new group of Leathernecks getting recruited to help try and make it consecutive years in the playoffs. The All-America teams will be getting announced in the next few weeks, so don't be surprised to see Western well-represented on the squads.

Basketball is in full swing, and the women are enjoying a nice homestand before break. Saturday's game starts at 4:30 p.m. The men picked up their second straight win, defeating Culver-Stockton on Wednesday. Hopefully everyone can get healthy at the same time before Summit League play continues on the 30th.

We'll have more to write before Christmas Break. Best of luck to the student-athletes and finals next week.

-- Patrick Osterman